Cleaning device for circular combs on a combing machine

ABSTRACT

A combing machine comprising a rotatable cylindrical comb and a rotatable cylindrical brush, the comb and brush rotating on respective substantially parallel axes so juxtaposed that the brush engages the comb thereby to remove waste accumulated on the comb, suction cleaning means positioned for withdrawing waste from the comb, a first motor operatively connected to the comb and a second motor operatively connected to the brush and the suction cleaning means.

United States Patent 1 Lorenz et al. 1 May 29, 1973 [5 CLEANING DEVICE FOR CIRCULAR 1,424,692 8/1922 Taylor v19/115 B ux COMES ON A COMBING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Henry Lorenz; Hans-Joachim Primary Exami"er DrSey Newton Scholz, both of Kar1-Marx-Stadt, Attorney-None and Nolte Germany [73] Assignee: VEB Spinnereimaschinenbau, Karl- [57] ABSTRACT Marx-Stadt, Germany A combing machine comprising a rotatable cylindrical Filed Dec 9 1970 comb and a rotatable cylindrical brush, the comb and brush rotating on respective substantially parallel axes PP ,558 so juxtaposed that the brush engages the comb thereby to remove waste accumulated on the comb, 52 U.S.C1 ..19/21s Suction cleaning means Positioned for Withdrawing [51] Int. Cl. ..D0lg 19/22 Waste from the COmb, a first motor operatively [58] Field of Search ..l9/l 15 R, 115 B, nected to the comb and a second motor operatively 19/215, 218, 107 connected to the brush and the suction cleaning means. [56] References Cited 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,407,170 2/1922 Ross ..l9/115 R PATENTELW29'975 3,735,446

INVENTORS HENRY LORENZ FIG. 3 HANS-JOACHIM SCHOLZ ATTORNEYS CLEANING DEVICE FOR CmCULAR COMES ON A COMBING MACHINE The invention relates to a cleaning device for cylindrical combs on a combing machine provided with cylindrical brushes, the machines being adapted for the combing of fibrous materials, generally slivers.

Generally, the machines incorporate a-plurality of cylindrical brushes with a like plurality of cylindrical combs'paired therewith, the comb and brush rotating on respective substantially parallel axes so juxtaposed that the brush engages the comb thereby to remove waste accumulated on the comb. The only essential requirement in this respect, however, is that there be at least one brush and a corresponding at least one comb paired therewith and, accordingly, it is appropriate to discuss the prior art and the present invention in that context.

In a known cleaning device, for the purpose of cleaning the comb the difference of the peripheral speeds between the cylindrical comb and the cylindrical brush is changed by reducing the speed of the comb or increasing the speed of the brush, compared to the normal operating speed of each. To this end, two sets of gears of a change gear are engaged and disengaged selectively by means of a clutch. A disadvantage of this cleaning device is the expense of a two-stage change gear. Another disadvantage is that, when the operating speed of the comb is reduced, the efficiency of the combing machine is likewise reduced.

An object of the invention is to reduce the expenditure for the cleaning device and to improve the efiiciency of the combing machine.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device in which a change gear is not necessary and which works during the starting and/or stopping of the combining machine.

According to the invention, a separate motor is provided for driving the brush and is started before the main motor and/or shut off after the main motor. Furthermore, the separate motor is connected with the fan for exhausting the comber waste.

, In the machine according to the invention, it is of advantage that the stopping and/or starting necessary for shutting off the combing machine, for example when the spinning can if full or for servicing the machine, is utilized for cleaning the comb, the comb passing through the lower speed range necessary for a thorough cleaning. The invention makes the use of a change gear unnecessary.

The invention will be described below more fully by reference to a specific embodiment as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly schematic front elevation of a combing machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the comb and brush and associated cleaning device; and

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a control system for the machine.

Several cylindrical combs l, of which only one is illustrated, are secured on a shaft 2. The shaft 2 is driven through a belt drive B comprising pulleys 3 and 3' and belts 3, 4' and 4" by a main motor 5. The main motor 5 drives, but for cylindrical brushes 6 and fan 7, all other working parts (not illustrated) of the combing machine. The circular brushes 6, of which likewise only one is illustrated, are secured on a shaft 8 and are driven by a separate motor 11 through a belt drive B comprising pulleys 9 and 10 and belt 14. Furthermore, the motor 11 drives through a belt drive B" comprising pulleys 12 and 13 and belt 15, the fan 7 of a known comber waste exhaust, which comprises suction pipe 16, screening drum l7 and housing 18. The motor 11 is started before and/or stopped after the motor 5. The motor 11 and the motor 5 can be started and stopped manually or by an automatic device, which is not the subject of the invention.

The method of operation is as follows. When the combing machine is started, the motor ll 1 is first turned on so that the brush 6 and the fan 7 attain their operating speed. The fan 7 produces in the housing 18 a suction air current C which is directed from the comb 1 toward the screening drum 17. When the brush 6 and the fan 7 have attained their operating speed, the main motor 5 is started. The comb 1 runs from a standstill to the operating speed through a low speed range which, as is known, is necessary for a thorough cleaning. The comber waste is sucked toward the screening drum 17, which is driven by known means not illustrated here, and is removed from the screening drum 17 by means also known but not here illustrated. The operating peripheral speed of the brush is preferably in the range of 5.2 m./sec., the operating peripheral speed of the comb is preferably in the range'of about 1.2 to 2.0 m./sec., and the operating peripheral speed of the brush is greater than the operating peripheral speed of the comb preferably by about 3.2 to 4.0 m./sec.

At each shut-off of the combing machine, for example when the spinning can is full or for servicing the machine, the process takes place in reverse order. First the main motor 5 is shut off and the circular comb 1 runs from the operating speed to a standstill through the lower speed range necessary for cleaning. The peripheral speed range of the comb desirable for cleaning is preferably about 0.04 to 0.07 m./sec. The duration of the period during which the comb passes through this range after starting or stopping of the main motor is in the range of about 2 to about 5 seconds. The cleaning effect is achieved, since the brush 6 and the fan 9 are at their operating speeds during this period. Then the motor 11 is shut ofi.

An arrangement may be provided in which, upon start-up, activation of motor 5 a predetermined time interval after motor 11 is automatic and, upon shut-off, deactivation of motor 11 a predetermined time interval after motor 5 is automatic. Such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the winding of a relay 20 is connected to a source 21 of electrical power by way of a normally open ON switch 22. The relay 20 has a hold contact 23 connected between the source of power and the relay coil by way of a normally closed OFF switch 24. A third contact 25 of the relay 20 is connected to apply electrical power from the source 21 to the first motor 111. The junction between the contacts 23 and the switch 24 is also connected to the windings of delay relay 27 and 28. Relay 27 preferably has delay characteristics on deenergization, and relay 28 preferably has delay characteristics on energization. These two delay relays may, for example, be dashpot relays. Delay relay 27 has a single set of contacts 29 connected in parallel with the contacts25 of relay 20. Delay relay 28 has a single set of contacts 30 connected between the junction of contacts 23 and switch 24, and the second motor 5.

In operation, the circuit is energized by momentarily pressing the ON switch 22 to energize the relay 20. Contacts 23 of this relay thus close to establish a hold circuit for the relay and contacts 25 apply power to the motor 11. The contacts 23 of relay 20 also apply power to the windings of relays 27 and 28. After a given delay time, the contact of delay relay 28 closes to apply power to the motor 5. The contacts 29 of relay 27 also close, to provide an alternate current path to the motor 11.

When it is desired to deenergize the system, the OFF" switch 24 is momentarily pushed, to deenergize the coil of relay 20. This eflects the consequent opening of contacts 23 of relay 20, to'remove power from the windings of the relays 27 and 28, as well as to remove power from the motor 5, so that the motor 31 is deenergized as soon as the relay 20 is deenergized. The motor 11 remains energized by way of contacts 29, however, due to the delayed action of relay 27. After a predetermined delay period, the contacts 29 of delay relay 27 open to deenergize the motor 11.

The circuit of FIG. 3 thus provides means for delaying the energization of the motor 5, with respect to the energization of motor 11, when the circuit is turned on, and means for delaying the deenergization of motor 11 with respect to the deenergization of motor 5, when the circuit is turned off. It will be obvious, of course, that many other types of circuits may be employed to serve these functions, and the circuit of FIG. 3 is thus illustrative of only one such arrangement that may be employed in the system of the invention. Likewise, regarding all aspects of the construction disclosed herein, this construction is to be regarded as illustrative rather than lirnitative of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A combing machine comprising a rotatable cylindrical comb and a rotatable cylindrical brush, the comb and brush rotating on respective substantially parallel axes so juxtaposed that the brush engages the comb thereby to remove waste accumulated on the comb, suction cleaning means positioned for withdrawing waste from the comb, first motor means operatively connected only to the comb for driving the same, second motor means operatively connected only to the brush and to the suction cleaning means for driving the same and means for stopping and starting said first and second motor means sequentially, said first and second motor means and said stopping and starting means constituting the sole means for driving said comb through a low peripheral speed range relative to the peripheral speed of said brushes for cleaning said comb and said stopping and starting means constituting circuit means for automatically activating the first motor a predetermined time interval after the second motor has been activated and for automatically deactivating the second motor a predetermined time interval after the first motor has been deactivated. 

1. A combing machine comprising a rotatable cylindrical comb and a rotatable cylindrical brush, the comb and brush rotating on respective substantially parallel axes so juxtaposed that the brush engages the comb thereby to remove waste accumulated on the comb, suction cleaning means positioned for withdrawing waste from the comb, first motor means operatively connected only to the comb for driving the same, second motor means operatively connected only to the brush and to the suction cleaning means for driving the same and means for stopping and starting said first and second motor means sequentially, said first and second motor means and said stopping and starting means constituting the sole means for driving said comb through a low peripheral speed range relative to the peripheral speed of said brushes for cleaning said comb and said stopping and starting means constituting circuit means for automatically activating the first motor a predetermined time interval after the second motor has been activated and for automatically deactivating the second motor a predetermined time interval after the first motor has been deactivated. 